Brake for vehicles.



PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906.

B. P. BRADLEY. BRAKE FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1903.

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Qty W vide a will automatically compensate for wear on its duce "a brake mechanism in which the ex-' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD FRANKLIN BRADLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. BRAKE FOR VEHICLES.

Speciflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20,1906'.-

It is an object of this invention to "provide a brake for vehicles of all kinds which will be positive .and certain in its action and by .medium of 'which' a maximum amount of friction. can be applied with a'minimum amount of actuating-force and movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a'brake niech'anism which is compactand simple in structure and which has few parts so arranged an disposed as to beaccessiblefor pu oses'of inspection and for the correction 0 any wear which may occur during operation.

Another object of this invention is to u robrake mechanism the parts of W 'ch braking-surfaces Another object of'thisinvention' is to propanding memberautomatically returns t9 2. concentric(positionwhen released and is there maintaine when not" in operation, thus avoiding the noise and rattling of-parts such as is common to existing forms now on the market.-

Another object of this invention is to provide a brake mechanism which will be equally effective in both directions of movement of the vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to pro-. vide a .brake nechanism whichcanbe applied to any vehicle without the necessity for altering any of the parts of either the brake or vehicle and which is easy of application and removal. p

A further object of this invention is to pro,- vide a brake mechanism of few and simple parts, the cooperation of which enables powerful j pressure to be applied instantly and with a high degree of certainty.

Other obj ects will appear during the course of this description, and with the same in view,

BERNARD FRAN'KL'In together with those above specifically pointed out, this invention consists intheparts, features, elements, a d combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings which form part of this specification, Figure I is an elevation of a orti'on of a vehicle-wheel and its axle showthereto, portions of the latter being-in section and the section being on line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the brake mechanism, the axle of the vehicle; its hearing and the housing therefor being shownin section; and Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 111 111 of Fig. 2, showing themeans by which lateral displacement and rattling .of the brake member are prevented.

Primarily it is to be understood thatin this description I have disclosed whatl deem to be at the present time the best embodiment of my invention; but I wish it distinctly understood that within the scope and principle of the broad idea of means involvedthere may be many modifications made in details which are within the skill of any mechanic and which may be necessitated by theapplication of mybrake'mechanismte vehicles of different kinds or styles. r

I have indicated the axle of the vehicle .by 1, the bearing for such axle by 2, and the wheel by 3, the spokes and hubonly of which are shown. Further details ofthese: arts havenot been illustrated.nor describe ,because the-same are not of importancetomy invention and are not deemed to be necessayiy to an exposition of'the'latter.

My" brake mechanism consists, essentially, of the brake wheel 4, having the flange 5, bored at intervals at fiforthe insertionof the screw-bolts 7, which pass through the spokes of the wheel or any other suitable portion thereof and are held andclamped in place by means of nuts 8, which bind against suitable washers 9. The apertures 6 are flared from the outside of the flange. 5 purposely for' -the re'ce tionv of the corre-' spondingly flared 'hea s 10 of the screwbolts 7, this structure of parts enabling the heads of the screw-bolts to be sunk below the surface of the flange 5 and be completely housed by the latter, so as to produce a nice finish and avoid any possibility of theheads of the bolts interfering with thelparts of the brake mechanism.

The brake-wheel 4 is alsoprovided witha mg the application of the brake mec anism be detrimental to the rim 1.1 the inner surface of which is uniform, but the outer surface of which is beveled so as to provide a thicker portion at the angle 12, this structure giving strength and stability to the casting. At the angle on the inside the casting is lprovided'with the oove is to prevent t e for- 13, the object ofw ich mation of shoulders or flanges, which'might life or action of the brake member produ ced b wear between the brake member and the nm 11.

14 indicates a housin which surrounds the axle and itsbearing and extends from hub to hub of the Wheels of the vehicle. Attached to said housing 14 and surrounding the same is a casting consisting of the tubular portion 15, which is brazed or otherwise fixed to said housing, thus rendering the one immovable relatively to the other. Moreover, to prevent longitudinal movement of the housin 14 and tubular casting 15 relatively to the axle-bearing 2 and also to aid in supporting said casting 15 in proper position, as shown in the drawings, two or more bolts 16 are tappedthrough the tubular portion, through the housing 14, and into the bosses 16' of the bearing 2, such bosses being slightly rounded, as shown, for the purpose of permitting flexure of the axle 1 relatively to the casting 15. The tubular portion 15 of the castin has the depending or extended portion 17, w ich ter- Inmates below the flange 5' in the enlarged portion 18, extending laterally substantially the width of the rim 11 and having the lugs 19, through which are extended the screwthreaded smooth-ended stop-pins v2() for apurpose to be hereinafter described. The

. tubular casting 15 is also provided with the cross-bar 21, the opposite ends of which perform a function hereinafter set forth. It will be seen that this casting, fixed as above described, has its portion 17 extended to within a short distance, of the inner surface of the rim 1 1.

The brake member is designated by 22 and consists of a highly-resilient spring-metal band, said member bein in the form of a split ring, the ends of w 'ch normally rest of the enlarged portion 18, and said ends of I 22 being slotted or bifurcated at 23, so as to eration freely embrace the pins 20, which extend from the lugs 19 to within a short distance of the inner periphery of the rim 11. This structure prevents any lateral displacement of the free ends of the brake member and compels them to always be in position for opalso have the function The lugs 19 of limiting the contraction of the brake member andvof preventin the free ends thereof from being displace The shoulders 18 also have the function of limiting the contraction of the brake member and roviding a means by which the action of said member can always be relied upon because said shoulivoted at its an the brake member dersform abutments for the primary and final action of said "member. The brake member may be made substantially uniform in thickness throughout its length and secure good results; but I have found in practice '70 that by rendering said member eccentric or of gradually-increasmg thicknessfromits'ends to the point a: the member becomes more effective, friction is applied uniformly, and the power,'holding capacity, and durability of the member are greatlyincreased. This is an, im ortant feature of my invention.

' he brake member 22 near its ends is provided withears 24 and 24, the ear 24 havin pivotally connected thereto a link 25, to the outer end of which is ivotally connected the short arm 26 of 'a'bell-crank lever, which is gle to the ear 24 and the on arm 27 of which is extended in substantial y the manner and-to approximately the position shown in Fig; 2 From this structure it will be seen that by reason of the lenglth of the arm 27 of the bell-cranka very slig t movement of the latter will throw the brake member into action and cause the lato ter to uickly expandagainst the rim 11 of the bra e-wheel. The brake member 22 'is also rovided'with the bifurcated lu s 28 and 28, t e slot in which isc'aused to slig tly converge from the ends thereof and the walls of 9 5 which are facedwith leather28 or other nonresonant material. Cooperating with these lugs 28 and 28 are res ectively the ends-of the cross-bar 21, whic ends substantially conform to the shape of the said slots, and as the lugs are not, after the parts are adjusted, actually free from or beyond the reach of the ends of the cross-bar the brake member is prevented from having any lateral move- 'ment' which would tend to free the same from to 5 proper position for eflective engagement with the rim of the brake-wheel' y causing the slots in the lugs to converge a snug fit is obtained between the same and the ends of the cross bar 21' when the brake member is not no expanded into action, and by'facing the walls of the slots in lu s 28 and 28? as described means are provi ed for preventing rattling or any looseness or play between the parts.

From this description of the brake mem n 5 ber 22 itwill be seen that the same is entirelyf free from and independent of the axle 1,- the brake-rim 11, and all of the cooperating parts of the brake mechanism, thus being, in effect, what may be termed a floating brake member fOr the elasticity of the brake-band is of such character as to cause its ends to have a normal tendency to contract and coil within its circumference, thus enabling said. ends to tightly engage the respective lugs 19 I2 5 and. shoulders 18 of the abutment or enlarged ortion 18'. This normal tendency of the and of the band 22 to contract resultsin firmly holdin theband when its ends are engaged with t e lugs '19 and shoulders 18 in prevent any the position shown in Fig. 2 with aninherent power and readiness to do work-that is to say, when the brake-band has been expanded and sprung into position, as in Fig. 2, its in-- herent contractile force and strength enables it to so remain until. suflicient power is applied to force it into contact with the rim of the brake-wheel, and such inherent or contractile strength is also sufficient to prevent its ends rattling on adjacent parts and to enable said band to maintain and support the weight of its actuating mechanism, which in turn, through the medium of its expansionspring. 38, prevents looseness and rattling of parts. Thus by the mere agency of its inherent elasticity the brake-band 22 is maintained in the position of Fig. 2, inoperative, but ready to do work, without the aid of positive external support. However, during the operation and travel of the vehicle over rough roads violent Vibration: and jarring of parts may occur which would probably, while the brake-band is inoperative, tend to cause its gradual settling or movement until its ends were caused to drag upon the rim of the brake-wheel or until its body portion were moved laterally either into contact with the back of the brake-wheel or sufliciently beyond the outer edge of the rim of the latter to be entirely displaced or become ineffective for braking purposes. To overcome these possible tendencies and objectionable occurrences, I have provided the pins 20, which cooperate with the ends of the brake-band, and the lugs 28 and 28, which cooperate with the ends of the cross-bar 21, both of which lateral movement of the brakeband relatively to the brake-wheel, while by converging the slots in the lugs 28 and 28 so as to enable the crotch of thelatter to engage the ends of the cross-bar, should there be occasion, excessive and objectionable 'movements of the brake-band as a whole or at its ends toward the rim of the brake-wheel are prevented operation and when it is not desired to apply the brake. Therefore while I have provided a means by which the brake-band may be supported should the occasion or contingency arise, it will be clear that under normal conditions said band is without positive external support, being in conse uence virtually a floating brake member. urthermore, it will be seen from the description that the actuating mechanism is also independent of the axle and of the cooperating parts of the brake mechanism. I These several elements of construction and their accompanying functions are distinctive of my brake mechanism and are important features of my invention in that they produce a simple, powerful, and effective brake for all kinds of heavy and light vehicles, and one which is easily assembled or taken apart, easily and quickly operated, which will stand great while the brake-band is out of wear and tear, and which requires but a minimum of force and movement to obtain a maximum power and effective action.

To the periphery of the brake member 22 is applied any suitable frictional material 29, that found most durable and effective being what is known in the art as gandy-belt. This gandy-belt is applied to the periphery of the brake member 22 so that its ends reach to approximately the inner end of the slots 23 in the ends of the brake member, thus preventing the pins 20 from objectionably engaging said belt.

In order to operate my brake mechanism thus described, I connect to the upper end of the long arm 27 of the bell-crank lever an actuating-rod 30, which is extended beyond the periphery of the brake-wheel and to a point convenient for attachment to any usual hand-operated lever. Merely for the purpose of illustrating this connection I have shown in the drawings a rock-shaft 31, which is suitably journaled to the vehicle-body and has suitably connected to one end a short arm 32, to which the rod 30 is connected, by sliding through the head 33 of a swivel-pin 34, suitably held in the upper end of the arm 32. The other end of the rock-shaft 31 is provided with the hand-lever 35. The swivel-head 33 is also provided with the sleeve 36, which surrounds the rod 30, and suitably fixed upon said rod a short distance from the end of the sleeve 36 is the nut 37 or other suitable st p. Surrounding the sleeve 36 is the coiled spring 38, one end of which engages the stop 37 and the other end of which engages the head 33. On the end of the rod beyond the head 33 are applied one or more nuts or other suitable adjustable stops 39, the same being screwed to the end of the rod, as shown. As will be seen, there is a clearance between the end of the sleeve 36 and the stop 37, and the s ring 38 is made quite strong, so as to norma ly hold the stop and sleeve separated, thus preventing movement between the parts, which would cause rattling, but at the same time permit play between the rod 30 and lever-arm 32 for the functions hereinafter noted. Said spring 38 also has the function of preventing the operator from exerting an undue force through the rod 30 when putting the brake out of action and which, moreover, would have a tendency to injure the parts of the mechanism. Hence it-will be seen that by applying the spring in the manner indicated all jarring is absorbed and looseness and rattling prevented. Another important function is subserved by the structure just described, for it must be borne in mind that the vehiclebody to which the operating-lever is pivoted has considerable spring or movement rela tively to the wheels and axles, which may be manifested when weight is added to the said body or the vehicle is traveling over rough 'of the brake mechanism will be clear; but it may be added that as movement is im arted to the bell-crank lever the short arm t ereof,

'through the medium of the connecting l'ink and the reaction of the latter, whichbecomes a fulcrum for the lever, instantly and powerfully applies the brake member to the rim of the brake-wheel, and it will be seen that the contact of the brake member with the brake-wheel is equal in every part and the force and friction are equally distributed throughout the extent of the contact-surfaces. It will also be seen'that very little power-and very little movement are necessary toset the .brake mechanism in action and that when once started into actionthe action is cumulative,-and consequently little power is needed to hold the same to its Work.

Moreover, to separate the friction members no power is required, the elastic force of the spring 38 and of the brake member 22 being,

-1n fact, sufficient for the purpose.

At this point it is desired to lay stress upon some of the important features of my invention, principally among which may be noted that when the brake member 22 is moved into action every portion of its surface is instantly applied to the rim of the brake-wheel,

said .member '22 fitting tightly and snugly against said rim and applying 1n consequence a powerful frictional pressure. The brake .-member 22 is expanded into action in contradistinctionto being contracted into action,

and this feature of the brake enables the friction-surfaces to be housed or covered, thus preventing the collection of grit or dirt and theconsequent wear ofsthe parts. The disposition of the parts is such as to render access easy and convenient for purposes of adjustment and repair, and the fewsimple parts areso combined as to render it impossible for faults or disorder to occur during use, and the disposition of the means for preventing rattling of the parts; and for giving the initial movement to the brake member 22 adjacent the operating-lever 35 and away from the brake mechanism enables ready access to these important parts for adjust -ment, &c.

. It is also desired to lay stress uponsome important functions of my brake mechanism, among which may be noted'thatfrom constant use the gaudy-belt may wear away and also the brake member 22 and to such extent movement, prethat the thinnest rim may be left without destroying its expansive quality, and thus the member 22 will perform its work effectively, and whatever wear takes place occurs equally throughout the entire friction-surfaces, the member 22 thus automatically compensating for .wear on the braking-surfaces. Again, when the brake member 22 has been released from its Work it instantly and automatically returns to a concentric inoperative position with its ends closely and forcibly hugging or bearing against the shoulders 18 and the lugs 19, Where said ends are maintained snugly and tightly both by the elasticity of the member 22 and the expansive force of spring 38, which operates upon the nut 37 on rod 30- and holds the lever 26 27 and link 25 firmlyin the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2, the rock-shaft 31 being presumed to be locked in its inoperative position and the spring 38, to be under compression. Furthermore, it will be clear that the brake mechanism is equally effective whether the vehicle be. moving forward or backward, for when the member 22 is applied the friction is applied equally and with equal force all round and the direction of rotation of the wheels is immaterial, the shoulders 18 providing limiting-abutments to prevent circular movement of member 22.

It will now be quite clear that I have produced a form of brake mechanism which is.

applicable to any and every kind of vehicle, and one which is easily operated, is powerful in its action, is simple in structure, and durable. It may be stated that in operation this brake has been found to apply its force instantly and effectively and that its application can be made with such rapidity and force as to cause the wheels to skid.

Having thus described -my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A brake mechanism comprising two friction members, one of which is a split ring and is made of spring metal and has inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendencyto coil within its circumference and thus automatically free itself from the other member, and said member being independent of, and having no rigid connection with, the

other parts of the brake mechanism; means cooperating with the ends of said spring member to limit its coiling tendency and for holding the ends of said spring member separated; and means for driving said spring member bodily into contact with the other member.

.2. A brake mechanism comprising twofriction members, one of which is made of normally contractile spring metal, is eccentric to and automatically frees itself from the other to assume a normal position out of con tact with the latter, and said member being independent of, and having no rigid connection with, the other parts of the brake mechanism, means cooperating with the ends of said member to limit its contraction, and means for driving said eccentric member. bodily intocontact with the other member.

3. A brake mechanism. comprising two friction members, one of which is a split ring made of spring metal and has inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within its circumference and thus automatically free itself from the other member; stationary means for engaging the ends of said spring member for supporting the latter free from connection with any stationary part of the vehicle-body and for positively positioning and maintaining the members relatively inoperative; and means fordriving the spring member bodily into contact with the other member in opposition to its coiling tendency.

4. A brake mechanism comprising two friction members, one of which is a split ring made of spring metal and has inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within its circumference and thus automatically free itself from the other member; stationary means for engaging the ends of said spring member for supporting the lat ter free from connection with any stationary part of the vehicle-body; means for preventing displacement of said spring member relatively to the other; and means for driving said spring member bodily into contact with the other member in opposition to its coiling tendency.

5. A brake mechanism comprising a brakewheel and a split brake-ring; mechanism for actuating said ring bodily into contact with said wheel, a portion of such actuating mechanism being located within and a portion outside the scope of said brake members and said latter portion having a cushion device cooperating therewith to prevent rattling of the parts and to normally tend to hold the latter in an inoperative position.

6. A brake mechanism comprising a brakewheel and a split, resilient brake-ring; stationary means interposed between the ends of said ring for holding the latter in a normal position; mechanism foractuatingsaid ring V bodily into contact with said wheel; a manually-operated means for actuating said mechanism; and a yielding device located beyond the circumferenceof the said brake members and adjacent said means and cooperating I with the latter for preventing the elements of said mechanism from rattling when the latter are in "an inoperative position and the ends of said ring are engaged with said stationary means.

7. A brake mechanism comprising a brakewheel; a split, floating, eccentric ring; and means for bodily moving the ring into contact with the wheel for creating friction between the said ring and wheel, said means including a cushion device operating to prevent rattling of the parts of the brake mechanism.

8. A brake mechanism comprising a brakewheel; a contractile split ring so constructed as to cause its ends to have a constant'tendency to coil within its circumference; a stationary abutment extending between the ends of said ring for holding said .ends sepa-. rated and in an, inoperative position; and

means for expanding said ring and forcing it bodily into engagement with said wheel.

9. A brake mechanism comprising a brakewheel; a brake member consisting of a s lit ring normally out of contact with the bra ewheel; an abutment located between the ends of the ring and having means cooperating with the latter for preventing lateral movement of said ring relatively to the wheel; and means independent of the lastnamed means for forcing said ring bodily into engagement with said wheel.

-10. A brake mechanism comprising a brake-wheel; a contractile split ring having inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within its circumference; stationary means cooperating with the ends of said ring for limiting the coiling tendency of the latter and for holding said ends separated; and means for forcing said ring bodily into engagement with said wheel.

11,. A brake mechanism comprising a brake-wheel; a split brake member having inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within its circumference; stationary means cooperating with the ends of said member for limiting its 0011- ing tendency and for maintaining said member in an inoperative position out of contact with the brake-wheel and means for forcing said member bodily into engagement with said wheel, the said member and both the said. means being within the circumference of said wheel.

12. A brake mechanism comprising 9.

brake-wheel; a contractile, split, brake-ring contained in said wheel having inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within itself; stationary means interposed between the ends of said ring for limiting the contraction thereof; and means for bodily actuating the ring for creating friction between the said whee and ring. 13. A brake mechanism comprising a brake-wheel a split brake-ring, contained in said wheel, having inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendenc to coil within itself and thus be held by inherent contractile force out of contact with said wheel stationary means interposed between the ends of said ring and for preventing the ring from coiling or collapsing within the wheel; and means for bodily actuating the ring for creating friction between the said wheel and ring.

14. A brake mechanism comprising a brake-Wheel a brake member consisting of a single, contractile, spring-band having inherent properties whereby its ends have a constant tendency to coil within its circumference; stationary means for limiting the coiling tendency of said member; and means for driving said member bodily against said Wheel, said means being supported by said member;

15. A brake mechanism comprising a brake-Wheel substantially right-angular in cross-section, and havin a groove at the inside of the angle; a split ring cooperating with the wheel adjacent the groove; and. means for creating friction between the Wheel and ring, whereby wear of the ring on the ing supported entirely by said member.

n testimony whereof I have hereunto slgned my name 1n theupresence of two subscribing witnesses.

BERNARD FRANKLIN BRADLEY.

Witnesses CHAs. MGOHAPMAN, M. HERSKOVITZ. 

